Name: Prince Asaka Yasuhiko 朝香宮鳩彦王 Age: 50 years old Gender: Male Occupation:
He was the founder of a collateral branch of the Japanese Imperial Family. Career Officer in the Japanese Imperial Army. Social Class:Imperial Family Financial Situation: Rich Appearance: He is a very tall man of five foot nine, very little hair, muscular man. Location: Kyoto map Habitual Locations: Kyoto Daily Routine:
5:30~6:30 a.m. - Wake up/washed/dress/breafast
6:30~7:00 a.m. - Morning March around my post (examination)
7:00~12:00 a.m. - Daily meeting with Generals (general discussion: where to target next)
- Regional Examination (discussing to generals and different lieutenants about this that happen at their posts)
12:00~1:00p.m. - Lunch/ Rest
1:00~5:00 p.m. - Soldier lessons
5:00~5:30 p.m. - Clean up
5:30~6:00 p.m. - Dinner Time
6:00~7:00 p.m. - Rest/Free time
7:00~8:00 p.m. - Evening March around my post (examination) Prince Asaka Yasuhiko 朝香宮鳩彦王
8:00-9:00 p.m. - Cleansing time/ free time (for me)
9:00-10:00 p.m. - Nightly Prayers
10:00~5:30 a.m. - Sleep
Personality/Quirks/Unique Traits: He is a man who is to his country (Meaning?), however, he is very opinionated, and believes to do the right thing. He is very outgoing, but strict. He is very influenced in Buddhism. (Secretly believes that killing people are wrong) Past/Individual-Family History: His father-in-law is Emperor Meji.
Family:He is the son the eighth son of Prince Kuni Asahiko and court lady Tsunoda Sugako. Prince Asaka Yasuhiko's father was a former Buddhist. Social Relations with Classes: He is secretly a helper to the Chinese people in Nanjing, but a secret betrayer to his fellow Japanese people Religion:He was first Buddhist, but after his life as a commoner he converted to Roman Catholicism. Education: He received his early education at the Gakushuin Boy's School and the Central Military Preparatory School, before graduating the Imperial Military Academy in 1908 as a second lieutenant.
Diary Entry #1 Calm Before the Storm
Dear. Diary
December 7, 1937 6:30 P.M.
I MADE IT! I FINALLY MADE IT! THE GREAT EMPEROR HIROHITO HAS REPLACED GENERAL MATSUI (temporarily due to this illness) AND PUT ME IN CHARGE! Thank you mother, thank you father for having me and giving me this great honor the Emperor has bestowed upon me! I feel like a new baby boy who has just came out of his mother womb, eager to explore the life. Ah, another chance... I cannot believe the Emperor thinks I am worthy enough to be the new General-in- Chief for the very army of this great nation. I have been generously offered another chance by the Emperor to redeem myself and prove that I am worthy and good to serve for Japan. I will proudly and successfully honor our nation as the most powerful nation this world has ever seen! With the Emperor's order for the invasion of Nanking implanted in my head, I went to an abandoned country villa near filed headquarters on December 8th and met my colleague named General Nakajima. I was briefed on how we are going to enter the city of Nanking. He explained it so thoroughly that I don’t even think I can remember everything. I was in complete joy and excitement to be able to lead this invasion. As soon as I got back to my chambers, I received a letter from my mother back in Japan. Her heart-warming letter gave me courage and the strength that I will need for the next few months. Although my mother is a court lady, and our family has a very strong bond with the Imperial family, at the end of the letter my mother gave me a secret advice that no one else knew: she told me to do the right thing that feels right in my heart. For hours, I read it over and over again trying to figure out its meaning. Does she want me to dishonor my country and not kill the Chinese? Or does she mean I should go with my feelings even it might kill me..... I am still confused. I hear someone coming; I will have to continue on with this entry some other time. I need to keep you a secret, because I need something to express my feelings and thoughts onto and if I get caught, then it will be the end of my life.
Diary Entry #2 A Knock at the Gate
Dear Diary
December 25, 1937
OH DEAR LORD, DIARY I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS! At the start of the invasion I was very excited and nervous.Other than the fact that today was the day we, the most powerful group of Asians there ever was to take full control of this invasion to Nanking, I have to announce terrible news that made me question my faith toward my own country (Awkwardly worded). I have seen and witnessed for the first time what my men do to kill the Chinese people. What I have seen awoke my conscious and for the first time I was seeing things apart from Japanese influence. My mother's words of “Do what is right” kept flowing through my mind and made me think about what she really must have meant. I think I have finally deciphered what my mother meant, and understood what she meant by “what feels right in your heart" - my heart was telling me that these hellish acts should not be happening. As I heard other officers giving orders to exterminate the Chinese, my conscious spoke to me in my mind and told me to stop it, but I could not. Just today at the start of the invasion, one of the other officers dragged out an old man by his hair and into a low ditch, he told the old man to get on his knees and look at the ground. The officer, brought a giant ax and chopped the old man’s head off. He picked up his severed head, put it on a huge log, burned all his hair off, and shoved 5 burning cigarettes into his mouth. The officer merely chuckled and walked away. It was ultimately the most horrific, atrocious, and absolutely heinous act I have ever seen in my life. Those men were not killed, they were destroyed....women on the were equally was hurt and went through immense pain that I cannot describe through words... They are used as human puppets, they are sadistically and sexually abused by men, and then killed when they "become worthless". At the beginning of the invasion, all that mattered to us was killing the Chinese and achieving victory. This is simply barbaric... Before coming to Nanking, my only mission was to invade and be successful, but now I feel as though I cannot fulfill the Emperor's wishes.. My heart says to stop it, but another voice in my mind says to let it happen. I do not know which one to listen. If I listen to my heart, then my mind always reminds of me honoring my family and the Emperor, but if I listen to my mind my heart whisper to do the right thing. On December 8, I was having my daily meeting with the other generals and Lieutenant’s, we left 10 minutes to share stories of things that happened with each of their divisions and what they observed. Lieutenant Toshiaki described how vile and repulsive his men became, he told us that at first they couldn’t even kill a man, but now they have no problem with slicing a head. He then explained an event that happened the day before, a couple of his soldier capture this family of Chinese men, they first stripped the family naked, and got wooden boards and nailed them onto it. They placed each of them on the ground, and gouged out their eyes and hacked off their noses and ears. Then, the soldiers got a truck and ran them over until they died. After hearing this VIVID and most horrible tale, I did not hesitate to leave at once. I ran back to my chambers, and sat down in depression. The only thought that ran through my head was "is this all necessary just to invade a city?......" It is 1:30 in the morning and I have an early start in the morning; for now, I will go to have some rest.
Diary #3 The Gates Come Tumbling Down
Dear Diary #3
December 28, 1937
First off, I apologize, Diary, that I had to put off my entries for a while. Everyday was like any other day as I had to watch the gruesome and the most devilish things my people does to these poor Chinese people. I have been secretly helping the Chinese people when I feel as if something has gone way too far. My heart’s voice gets louder and tells me to save them. One day, while I was taking my nightly walks around my post, I heard a number of women crying from a distance. When I quickly ran towards the noise, I found one of my men raping two women at the same time! The soldier's name is Gouto Kenta, forcing the women to perform for him. I told him to stop immediately and commanded him to get back to his room and that I would “finish up” giving him hint that I would want a try, but my true intentions were to save them. Both of them were scared to death and looked into my eyes as if I was the devil himself. Having a little education in Chinese I told them that it was fine, and that I have no plan of raping them; I quickly found them clothes, and told them directions and hiding place in order to escape. They thanked me and looked to me as if I was God (their savior) and ran for their lives. The next morning, Our troops went deeper into the city, exterminating more people by the day. For two weeks our troops have already killed a total of 30,000 men and women. Killing was not only was popular to our troops, but raping women has become some sort of a trend while doing their job. Because our men are at war, and sometimes wish for entertainment, my soldiers would take advantage of women and continuously rape them until death. I have to go diary I cannot talk no longer, my spirit is down, and I am very depressed. Diary #4 Through the Gates into Hell
Dear Diary.
I feel as if I cannot live any longer, I am no longer strong. I have helped so many Chinese men and women flee to the safest place in secret, but I am afraid - afraid that I would get caught and my life would end. I want to continue to help, but I have dishonored Japan and I am shameful of doing so.. However, I'm very happy at the same time - happy because I was able to save lives, rather than contribute to the brutal killing. Every day I have doubts that I would be able to get through the day, and sometimes I almost wish someone would gouge my eyes and rip my ears off so I won’t be able to see or hear anymore cries in Nanking. Being in the highest position in this army, I am utterly pressured by the fact that I cannot escape, but trapped in this god-forsaken land; in fact, it almost makes me want to commit suicide. I wish we can end this war peacefully by stopping this madness in which my people call it a mere invasion. This is not a war nor an invasion; this is a sadistic hell. Going through the war without a friend to talk to except the pages of this diary has made it especially hard for me to endure the pain. I cry at night and ask god to save their lives and punish us for our bad deeds! Once a beautiful city, China became the most deadliest city within a matter of six weeks. When I go outside, it seems like a living hell. Everywhere I see Japanese Soldiers killing Chinese people, dead rotten bodies, people who are burned, sliced, chopped, ran over. It is beyond sickening and I feel as if I am Satan’s puppet... Since I am the leader of this invasion I feel more responsible more than ever. The lives that were lost, the family members that were lost are all because of me. My death wouldn’t seem to forgive, nothing could be forgiven.. it is unforgivable that everyone in this army should go to hell... for causing almost a million deaths. The world is mad, nothing seems to be right. The other generals including Lieutenant Toshiaki seemed to be excited still.. I cannot ever relate to my colleagues. What do they find so pleasurable in killing people. This is a true a wonder of the worlds...
Diary #5 A Survivor
Dear Diary.
March 28 1981 Atami, on the Izu Peninsula south of Tokyo
Hello Diary, I have finally found you in my old chest full of my old possessions. First, I want to thank my god for letting me live and not get caught by other generals during my days in the army. It has been 43 years since the invasion and the vivid image of the murderers are still implanted in my head. I guess they will haunt me forever. Ironically, I did not give up my military career even after the war. General Matsui went into retirement after the invasion was over, I remained in the Supreme War Council and in 1939 I was promoted to General. I am a very old man of 93 and I have no regrets other than loosing friends and loosing people I could have saved during the invasion. I live a normal quite life playing golf and relaxing. Couple of days ago CNN’s news broadcasting station reporters came all the way from America to interview me about my days during the Massacre. It was both a pleasure and a bother to me (honestly) because it brought back horrible memories and nightmares. However, I still answered all their questions thoroughly and told the truth about how I was actually feeling and revealed you diary. I am truly thankful to the world that it gave me a second chance to live my life properly and this time to follow my heart. I think the second Sino-Japanese war truly brought out my feelings that made me mature... Although I was 50 years old at that time, I have never felt the same feeling that I had felt during the invasion of Nanking. After the War I did not meet or talk to Lieutenant Toshiaki or all of the other generals and Lieutenants. My wish is not for my children or my grand children's children to have a happy peaceful life, but for the whole world to never have something like the Nanking Massacre.
Name: Prince Asaka Yasuhiko 朝香宮鳩彦王
Age: 50 years old
Gender: Male
Occupation:
He was the founder of a collateral branch of the Japanese Imperial Family. Career Officer in the Japanese Imperial Army.
Social Class:Imperial Family
Financial Situation: Rich
Appearance: He is a very tall man of five foot nine, very little hair, muscular man.
Location: Kyoto map
Habitual Locations: Kyoto
Daily Routine:
5:30~6:30 a.m. - Wake up/washed/dress/breafast
6:30~7:00 a.m. - Morning March around my post (examination)
7:00~12:00 a.m. - Daily meeting with Generals (general discussion: where to target next)
- Regional Examination (discussing to generals and different lieutenants about this that happen at their posts)
12:00~1:00p.m. - Lunch/ Rest
1:00~5:00 p.m. - Soldier lessons
5:00~5:30 p.m. - Clean up
5:30~6:00 p.m. - Dinner Time
6:00~7:00 p.m. - Rest/Free time
7:00~8:00 p.m. - Evening March around my post (examination) Prince Asaka Yasuhiko 朝香宮鳩彦王
8:00-9:00 p.m. - Cleansing time/ free time (for me)
9:00-10:00 p.m. - Nightly Prayers
10:00~5:30 a.m. - Sleep
Personality/Quirks/Unique Traits: He is a man who is to his country (Meaning?), however, he is very opinionated, and believes to do the right thing. He is very outgoing, but strict. He is very influenced in Buddhism. (Secretly believes that killing people are wrong)
Past/Individual-Family History: His father-in-law is Emperor Meji.
Family:He is the son the eighth son of Prince Kuni Asahiko and court lady Tsunoda Sugako. Prince Asaka Yasuhiko's father was a former Buddhist.
Social Relations with Classes: He is secretly a helper to the Chinese people in Nanjing, but a secret betrayer to his fellow Japanese people
Religion:He was first Buddhist, but after his life as a commoner he converted to Roman Catholicism.
Education: He received his early education at the Gakushuin Boy's School and the Central Military Preparatory School, before graduating the Imperial Military Academy in 1908 as a second lieutenant.
Diary Entry #1 Calm Before the Storm
Dear. Diary
December 7, 1937 6:30 P.M.
I MADE IT! I FINALLY MADE IT! THE GREAT EMPEROR HIROHITO HAS REPLACED GENERAL MATSUI (temporarily due to this illness) AND PUT ME IN CHARGE! Thank you mother, thank you father for having me and giving me this great honor the Emperor has bestowed upon me! I feel like a new baby boy who has just came out of his mother womb, eager to explore the life. Ah, another chance... I cannot believe the Emperor thinks I am worthy enough to be the new Gener
Diary Entry #2 A Knock at the Gate
Dear Diary
December 25, 1937
OH DEAR LORD, DIARY I CANNOT BELIEVE THIS! At the start of the invasion I was very excited and nervous.Other than the fact that today was the day we, the most powerful group of Asians there ever was to take full control of this invasion to Nanking, I have to announce terrible news that made me question my faith toward my own country (Awkwardly worded). I have seen and witnessed for the first time what my men do to kill the Chinese people. What I have seen awoke my conscious and for the first time I was seeing things apart from Japanese influence. My mother's words of “Do what is right” kept flowing through my mind and made me think about what she really must have meant. I think I have finally deciphered what my
Diary #3 The Gates Come Tumbling Down
Dear Diary #3
December 28, 1937
First off, I apologize, Diary, that I had to put off my entries for a while. Everyday was like any other day as I had to watch the gruesome and the most devilish things my people does to these poor Chinese people. I have been secretly helping the Chinese people when I feel as if something has gone way too far. My heart’s voice gets louder and tells me
Diary #4 Through the Gates into Hell
Dear Diary.
I feel as if I cannot live any longer, I am no longer strong. I have helped so many Chinese men and women flee to the safest place in secret, but I am afraid - afraid that I would get caught and my life would end. I want to continue to help, but I have dishonored Japan and I am shameful of doing so.. However, I'm very happy at the same time - happy because I was able to save lives, rather than contribute to the brutal killing. Every day I have doubts that I would be able to get through the day, and sometimes I almost wish someone would gouge my eyes and rip my ears off so I won’t be able to see or hear anymore cries in Nanking. Being in the highest position in this army, I am utterly pressured by the fact tha
Diary #5 A Survivor
Dear Diary.
March 28 1981 Atami, on the Izu Peninsula south of Tokyo
Hello Diary, I have finally found you in my old chest full of my old possessions. First, I want to thank my god for letting me live and not get caught by other generals during my days in the army. It has been 43 years since the invasion and the vivid image of the murder
Remembering the invasion of Nanking....
Bibliography
" 1937 Nanking Massacre :: Photo Group one ." 1937 Nanking Massacre :: Home . N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2010. <http://www.nanking-massacre.com/Nanking_Massacre_Photo_Group_One.html>.
"Mother letters." www.koreatimes.co.kr. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Dec. 2010. <www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2009/09/192_49688.html>.
"Neitherhere Blog: Travel Archives." Neither Here. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Nov. 2010. <http://www.neitherhere.com/blog/archives/travel/index.html>.